TEAM Solent Kestrels retained their NBL Division One men's play-off title for a third successive season, as they came through a stern test from Hemel Storm, to win 71-69.

The victory sees Kestrels complete the league, cup and play-off treble, only dropping two games in NBL competitions all season, writes Jack O'Keeffe.

But it was far from plain sailing for Solent, who saw their healthy lead cut, requiring a last-gasp score from MVP Cole Gentry to seal victory.

Taylor Johnson scored four straight to get Hemel Storm off to a fast start, however Travis Charles would reply from the foul line, followed by a Max Richardson three-pointer from the corner to settle the Kestrels' fans nerves.

After a frantic opening spell to the game, the league champions would assume control after a 9-0 run gave them a 14-6 advantage with a little over four minutes left in the quarter.

The sides traded scores before Johnson trimmed the gap to four points as he scored five straight but it was Kemel Archer who ensured Kestrels took a 21-13 lead into the break after one.

Brendan Okoronkwo briefly extended the Kestrels lead to 10 points to open up the second quarter and although Storm responded, Gentry would keep the gap out at 10 inside the seven-minute mark, as he connected on a three. A 5-0 run for Hemel midway through the quarter prompted coach Matt Guymon into his first timeout of the ball game and that seemed to steady the ship as Luke Busumbru and Richardson found scores inside to push the lead back to nine, 35-26.

Kestrels would restore a 10-point lead through Charles, but a pair of Sam Newman free throws to close the half kept the TSK lead as it was after one, 41-33.

TSK opened up the half on a 7-0 run capped off by a Richardson dunk in transition to send the Kestrels crowd into a frenzy, forcing Hemel into an early timeout, 48-33 Kestrels.

Charles extended the lead post timeout to 17 and after Kestrels shutting Storm out for four minutes, Greg Poleon finally stopped the drought with four points in reply. Poleon found his scoring rhythm and trimmed the gap to 12 but Archer would respond for TSK, to cancel out any impact on the Kestrels lead. Newman would stroke a corner triple for Storm to close the third quarter scoring, however TSK still had a 56-45 lead intact.

Storm scored four quick points to trim the gap further in the early goings of the final period and when Johnson knocked down a triple in transition, the Kestrels lead had been slashed to just five points, prompting a TSK timeout.

Bode Adeluola tied the game up at 57 after the timeout and that would set up the back and forth finish that ensued. Orlan Jackman converted an and-one to stop the Kestrels drought, but would be matched with a three-pointer on the following possession from Poleon.

TSK would build a slender five-point lead behind Busumbru and Gentry inside the five-minute mark, but a 9-2 run from Storm gave them their first lead since the opening quarter at 69-67.

Kestrels defence turned up a level forcing Hemel into a number of turnovers, eventually resulting in an unsportsmanlike foul sending Charles to the free throw line to tie the game up with 1:27 remaining.

After empty possessions for both sides, league MVP Gentry sliced his way to the hoop to put TSK up 71-69 with just 23 seconds remaining.

After a Hemel timeout, Jackman would deflect the inbounds pass, resulting in a Poleon turnover, securing the Kestrels third successive play-off final title.

“This final was a fantastic advert for the NBL," said Kestrels' head coach Guymon.

"I am so proud of our guys who showed such heart and togetherness to secure the championship.

"This game wasn’t our most clinical offensive performance, in large part due to to Hemel’s disruptive defence. But I felt we were able to have our own impact on the defensive end which sparked scoring runs in the third and fourth quarters.

"This was another performance where our depth really shone as we had numerous contributions at both ends of the floor and is a testament to the maturity and IQ of the group.

"Even though it was a Sunday afternoon in Manchester, it was amazing for so many of our fans to make the trip and help the players over the line.”

TSK were led Gentry who had 19 points, four rebounds and four steals, whilst Charles added 14 points and five rebounds and Jackman had 10 points off the bench.

Hemel Storm’s American duo Poleon and Johnson combined for 45 of their 69 points as they leaned heavily on them for their offensive production.